Estonia: procurement for long-range antitank weapons announced

The Estonian Center for Defense Investment (ECDI) announced a EUR 40-million procurement for the purchase of long-range antitank weapons systems.

In the framework of the procurement, at least 18 weapons systems are to be bought with ammunition. The supplier must also provide auxiliary equipment, technical support and training, spokespeople for the ECDI said.

“The antitank system to be procured must have a range of at least 4,000 meters, and the new weapon must be capable of destroying targets behind a barrier,” Priit Soosaar, head of the Procurement Department at the ECDI, said in a press release.

The weapons must be in serial production and in use in the army of at least one NATO member state.

The estimated cost of the contract, which must include an option for the purchase of additional units, is EUR 40 million.

The weapons systems to be purchased are meant for an upgrade of the weaponry of the antitank companies of Estonia’s infantry brigades, where conscripts will be trained in their use.

“Training in the use of said weapons systems is very fast, cost-effective and efficient thanks to modern simulation and training equipment,” Soosaar said. “Training for instructors and active service personnel of the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) is also a substantive part of the procurement.”

Along with the purchase of infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), self-propelled artillery, new automatic firearms and replenishments of the stocks of wartime units, the acquisition of the antitank systems is among the priorities of Estonia’s national defense-related procurements this decade.

As a result of the competitive negotiated procurement, a seven-year framework agreement will be concluded with the supplier. (ERR/Business World Magazine)